Double reason to bake for charity fundraiser

ACG Tauranga students baked language-themed cupcakes to celebrate two occasions last week – International Languages Week and SPCA Cupcake Day.

Students raised more than $400 for the SPCA’s annual fundraiser, which happened to fall on the first day of International Languages Week, with their cupcakes decorated with flags and greetings in different languages.

Others had solely an animal focus. For Charli Walther, in Year 7, it was a great day to combine her two passions – baking and animals. She loved making, baking, decorating and eating the cupcakes and was over-the-moon to be awarded second place for her ‘pupcakes’ inspired by her dog, Jack.

“She’s always had a soft spot for the ‘underdog’ so to speak so she was thrilled to help out the SPCA, and particularly animals that may be abandoned or needy in any way,” said her mum Melissa.

Shakira Cable, in Year 9, spent five hours baking and decorating her six animal cupcakes. “I had two sheep which were decorated with marshmallows and fondant icing; two goldfish with a blue plate of fondant as the sea; and two cats, which had a white plate of fondant to represent the face,” she described.

Shakira said it was important to support charities like the SPCA because they help New Zealand become a better place. “The SPCA is a great foundation for supporting animals without homes and giving a family an adorable pet to enjoy and bring them closer together,” she said.

In preparation for the SPCA’s nationwide event, Tauranga SPCA Education Officer Ali Bulder visited the school with her friendly rescue dog, Jack, to talk about the role of the SPCA and how money raised would be used to help animals in need.

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While exam results are important, they’re not the be-all and end-all and should be kept in perspective. Parents and students need to work with teachers to develop a “future action plan” to help lift academic performance.